News
The voice of Dr. Nanda Malini is a unique and intangible cultural heritage of this nation – Prime Minister
A special felicitation program organized by the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) in honor of Dr. Nanda Malini was held on Friday [August 22] at the Kumaranatunga Munidasa Hall of the Corporation, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
The purpose of this program was to pay tribute to the great service rendered by Dr. Nanda Malini for more than nearly seven decades to the field of music in Sri Lanka as well as to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. As a token of appreciation, a building of the Corporation was also named after her and ceremonially opened.
Accordingly, within the premises of the Corporation, a portrait of Dr. Nanda Malini was unveiled, and its 9th Cabin was officially declared open under the name Dr. Nanda Malini Building” by the Prime Minister together with Dr. Nanda Malini herself.
Thereafter, addressing the ceremonial gathering, the Prime Minister stated:
“Seventy years ago, a little girl came to this Broadcasting Corporation to sing for the children’s program ’Lama Pitiya.’ On that day, she sang the first song ’Dura Pawane Me Kulu Guwane.’ Recognizing her extraordinary vocal talent, Dr. Pandit Amaradeva offered her the opportunity to sing for Sri Lanka’s first color film ’Ran Muthu Duwa.’ That little girl singer recorded her voice at this very Corporation for the beautiful lyrics ’Galana Gagaki Jivithe Dayalu Lokaye.
Today, the opening of a building of the Broadcasting Corporation in the name of that very girl is indeed a remarkable occasion. That is Dr. Nanda Malini who is an epitome of music in this nation.
Nanda Malini was never just another name in our musical tradition. Beginning with Ran Muthu Duwa, her artistic journey was never limited merely to conventional themes such as love and separation. She fearlessly directed her voice toward contemporary issues of our nation such as oppression, corruption, violence, and social injustice.
The voice of Dr. Nanda Malini is an Intangible Cultural Heritage of this country. The joy you have given us, the inspiration drawn from your songs, and the strength you provided to this nation even in its darkest times through your music, we are deeply grateful for that noble service”.
This occasion was graced by the presence of the Venerable Pathegama Gnaneswara Thero and the Maha sangha, Rev Saman Maximus, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa Minister of Health and Media , Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Deputy Minister of Health and Media Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne, Chairman of the SLBC Prof. Udhitha Gayashan Gunasekara, along with artists and a large number of distinguished guests.

]Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Heat Index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the North-central and Eastern provinces and in Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts during the daytime
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 08 May 2026, valid for 09 May 2026
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the North-central and Eastern provinces and in Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts during the daytime
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on the human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
News
SLPP expresses concern over death of former SriLankan CEO
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary, Sagara Kariyawasam, yesterday raised serious concerns over the death of former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena, questioning whether the incident was a suicide, murder, or a case of being compelled to take his own life.
Addressing the media, Kariyawasam claimed that Chandrasena had recently become a controversial figure after allegedly submitting an affidavit to court detailing threats made against him.
According to Kariyawasam, the affidavit stated that Chandrasena had been taken to the office of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), where he was allegedly threatened by its Director General, Ranga Dissanayake.
Kariyawasam alleged that Chandrasena had claimed he was warned to comply with certain demands or face consequences similar to those experienced by another individual, linked to a case involving former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.
He also claimed that Chandrasena’s affidavit referred to alleged attempts to implicate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and MP Namal Rajapaksa in legal proceedings.
Kariyawasam questioned how Chandrasena, who had reportedly been in remand custody, was able to secure two bail guarantors, and called for an immediate investigation into who introduced the guarantors and whether any prison or CIABOC officials had been involved.
He urged the courts to examine CCTV footage and conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the provision of the guarantors.
Claiming that public suspicion surrounding the death was growing, Kariyawasam said the incident could not be dismissed as a straightforward suicide.
He alleged that several recent incidents involving complainants and suspects had raised broader concerns over the rule of law and the protection of suspects’ rights in the country.
Calling for an independent investigation, Kariyawasam urged authorities to disclose the truth to the public, stressing that even suspects are entitled to legal safeguards and protections in a democratic society.
News
SC orders fresh notice on Gotabaya in compensation case
The Supreme Court yesterday directed the petitioning party to take steps to reissue notice to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has been named as a respondent in a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition.
The petition had been filed seeking an order to recover compensation funds allegedly paid unlawfully to former Ministers and Members of Parliament whose houses were set on fire or damaged during the countrywide violence that erupted following the purported attack on the “Aragalaya” protest site on May 9, 2022.
The Supreme Court issued this order during the hearing of the Fundamental Rights petition, which was filed seeking a declaration that the payment of such compensation was unlawful.
-
News2 days agoMIT expert warns of catastrophic consequences of USD 2.5 mn Treasury heist
-
News4 days agoCJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
-
News5 days agoUSD 3.7 bn H’tota refinery: China won’t launch project without bigger local market share
-
News6 days agoEaster Sunday Case: Ex-SIS Chief concealed intel, former Defence Secy tells court
-
Business6 days agoDialog Surpasses 1,000 5G Sites, Strengthening Nationwide 5G Coverage
-
Editorial2 days agoClean Sri Lanka and dirty politics
-
Editorial5 days agoDeliver or perish
-
News5 days agoAdministrators oppose govt. move to deploy Clean Sri Lanka agents in District and Divisional Secretariats
